Balrampur (UP), Jun 16 (PTI) A joint team of the Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) and the Forest Department has arrested three members of a sandalwood smuggling gang at the India-Nepal border here, officials said on Tuesday.
Logs of sandalwood, allegedly cut from a forest and being transported illegally, were recovered from the accused, they said.
Those arrested have been identified as Sushil Pandey and Satyendra, both residents of Kanpur district, and Mahesh from Kannauj district.
Shatrohan Lal, Range Officer of the Bankatwa Range in the Sohailwa Forest Area, said that authorities had received information on Monday that sandalwood trees were being cut near international border in Chaudharidih village without the required government permit.
Acting on the tip-off, the Forest Department and the 9th Battalion of the SSB set up a checkpoint in Chaudharidih village.
During the operation, a red car approaching from the Sirsiya side was spotted, accompanied by two men on a motorcycle acting as escorts.
When the joint team attempted to stop the vehicles, the suspects abandoned them and tried to flee. The officers surrounded the area and apprehended all three accused.
A search of the car led to the recovery of eight sandalwood logs. During questioning, the accused failed to produce any valid permit for cutting or transporting the wood.
The three men were arrested, and the sandalwood, car, and motorcycle were seized and taken to the Bankatwa Range Forest Department office.
The range officer stated that a case has been registered under the relevant provisions of the Indian Forest Act, and further legal action is being taken. PTI COR ABN NB NB
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